Outside the Hidden Leaf Village.
"Hehehe, the Uchiha Clan really lives up to its name. What a wealthy bunch!" Black Zetsu rubbed his hands together with excitement, his eyes gleaming like a treasure hunter who had struck gold.
Behind him stood Uchiha Obito, his arms crossed and his Sharingan spinning faintly. His gaze was icy cold, fixed on Black Zetsu's back. Deep down, there was a storm of resentment brewing within him.
This creature… this thing… Black Zetsu. It was because of his manipulations that Obito had spent years of his life running around like a fool, chasing after lies and illusions.
The so-called "Infinite Tsukuyomi"—Obito had believed in it wholeheartedly. He had devoted himself to that dream, thinking it would bring peace to the world. But in the end, it was just a fabrication, a tool for Black Zetsu's own hidden agenda. If Peter hadn't exposed the truth to him, Obito might still be caught in that web of lies.
Now, if not for the fact that he still needed Black Zetsu's assistance, Obito would have already found a way to eliminate him.
Black Zetsu turned around and saw Obito's unfriendly expression. He laughed awkwardly and said, "Hey, don't look at me like that. Yes, I used you for my own goals, but I didn't lie about everything. The Infinite Tsukuyomi is real... technically..."
He tried to explain himself, but even he knew it sounded hollow.
In Black Zetsu's twisted logic, if all the people in the ninja world were absorbed as nutrients by the God Tree and transformed into White Zetsu, wouldn't that bring peace? A world where no one fought, because no one could.
Wasn't that the ultimate peace?
Sure, it meant everyone would be dead, but technically, there would be no war...
Obito didn't respond. He had long since stopped believing a word Black Zetsu said. In his mind, everything this black sludge uttered was just meaningless noise.
Seeing that Obito wasn't responding, Black Zetsu scratched his head in embarrassment. He could clearly feel that Obito was no longer the gullible pawn he once was.
With a forced smile, Black Zetsu raised his hands in mock innocence. "Alright, alright. If you don't believe me, then forget I said anything."
Obito's voice was cold as ice. "We're just partners now. Nothing more."
---
Two Days Earlier
After parting ways with Akatsuki, Obito found himself in a state of confusion. He had left behind his previous path and rejected the dream that had once driven him. But now, he was faced with a new, much more practical problem—
How could he make money?
Without any business skills, no connections, and no idea of what to do, Obito wandered across the shinobi world, struggling to think of a way to survive.
He wasn't interested in begging or robbing commoners. His pride wouldn't allow it. But he still needed resources, funds, a way to live without depending on others.
Just when he was at a complete loss, an all-too-familiar figure emerged from the ground.
"Oh my, Obito-kun, are you troubled by a lack of money?" Black Zetsu's voice came cheerfully as his head poked out from the soil like a mole.
The moment Obito saw him, rage flared up within him.
This thing—this parasite—had manipulated him for so many years!
Without a second thought, Obito launched an attack. But Black Zetsu was prepared and immediately retreated underground, avoiding the blow.
Realizing that his attacks were futile against someone who could slip through the earth like a shadow, Obito clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.
"What do you want?" he asked, voice cold as frost.
Black Zetsu's head cautiously peeked out once more. "Come now, Obito-kun. Don't be so angry. I came to you with an offer—for cooperation."
"Cooperation?" Obito's eyes narrowed in suspicion.
He couldn't understand why Black Zetsu would want to work with him. Now that his plan had failed and his secrets exposed, what use could he possibly have for Obito?
As if reading his thoughts, Black Zetsu chuckled, "Obito-kun, I've discovered an alternative method to revive my mother. I've completely abandoned the Tsuki no Me Project."
Obito was taken aback.
"Revive your mother..." he muttered, recalling something.
Yes, during their time in that mysterious store, Black Zetsu had suddenly become excited after learning that the moon could be destroyed. At the time, Obito hadn't paid it much attention. But now, everything was coming together.
The so-called Infinite Tsukuyomi had never been about peace. It had been a cover—Black Zetsu's real goal was to revive his mother, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, who had been sealed on the moon. That was why he manipulated Madara, and later Obito, to implement the Tsuki no Me plan.
After realizing the truth, Obito's eyes filled with fury and cold realization. "If that guy Madara knew you were lying to him, he'd rip you apart."
Black Zetsu waved a hand dismissively. "Haha, well, Madara will never find out now. After all, who's going to resurrect him? Everyone knows the Tsuki no Me was a scam. No one's going to bring that fossil back to life."
Obito couldn't help but smirk bitterly. As much as he hated to admit it, Black Zetsu had a point. Madara was finished. Buried by history.
Obito asked warily, "Since the project's over, what could we possibly cooperate on?"
Black Zetsu grinned. "Money. That's what I came to you for."
"Money?" Obito raised an eyebrow.
"You see," Black Zetsu explained eagerly, "I know the locations of several hidden vaults in Konoha. They're loaded with cash. But I can't access them easily by myself anymore."
"Why not?"
"I used to be able to sneak in and out without a problem. But after I looted Sarutobi Hiruzen's and Shimura Danzo's vaults, the entire village got on high alert. Security has been tightened. Patrols come around frequently now. My efficiency has plummeted."
Obito slowly nodded. "So you need help."
"Exactly! And who better than someone who can use Kamui?" Black Zetsu beamed. "You get in, you suck the cash into your space, and we're out before anyone notices. I find the vaults, you grab the goods. Simple."
He hesitated before adding, "We'll split the profit 50-50. Deal?"
Obito didn't even have to think about it. He had no better plan, and this would finally give him the resources he needed. He extended a hand. "Deal."
Thus, the "Ninja Thieves Duo" was born.
That night, Obito, who had previously sworn to never wear his mask again, donned it once more. Beside him, Black Zetsu emerged from the ground with his usual creepy grin.
---
In the quiet of night, the two infiltrated the Hidden Leaf Village.
"I'll check on the Hyuga Clan's patrol pattern," Black Zetsu whispered before vanishing underground.
Minutes later, he returned.
"I found it. Every five minutes, the patrol team leaves the vault to circle other areas. They return after just one minute," he reported.
Obito frowned. "They have the Byakugan. Why even patrol physically?"
Black Zetsu shrugged. "No idea. But it works in our favor."
"One minute is more than enough," Obito said, his Sharingan spinning. As the tomoe swirled, they morphed into the Mangekyō pattern. "Kamui."
In an instant, Obito vanished into thin air.
Black Zetsu sunk into the earth and headed for the vault entrance.
The moment the patrol left, the two sprang into action. Obito reappeared inside the vault, staring at a mountain of cash piled high from wall to wall.
His eyes widened. "This... this is insane!"
"Hurry up!" Black Zetsu urged. "We only have a minute!"
Snapping out of his awe, Obito activated Kamui once more. With a powerful vortex of chakra, he sucked all the money into his pocket dimension.
In just a few seconds, the vault was completely emptied.
Mission complete, the two thieves made their escape.
---
Just moments later, the Hyuga patrol returned.
As usual, they activated their Byakugan and performed a routine check on the vault.
Then, one of them froze. He blinked. He looked again.
"What the... f**k?!"
The others quickly rushed over. All of them stared at the now-empty vault, dumbfounded.
"We were gone for less than a minute!" one of them cried out.
"Where's the money?!"
"Sound the alarm!"
Chaos erupted across the Hyuga compound, but by then, the mysterious thieves had already disappeared into the night—silent, invisible, and now very, very rich.